Milk and iron deficiencies

Cow’s milk is low in iron. Drinking a lot of cow’s milk (more than 24-36 ounces/720 milliliters) also can put a child at risk of developing iron deficiency.

Toddlers who drink a lot of cow’s milk may be less hungry and less likely to eat iron-rich foods. Milk decreases the absorption of iron and can also irritate the lining of the intestine, causing small amounts of bleeding and the gradual loss of iron in the stool.